Pandemic Influenza Awareness H1N Comstock.com CDC Comstock.com

What is the H1N1 Influenza Virus? New Strain of Influenza Virus First Detected on April 18, 2009 in Mexico Originally Called “Swine Flu” Initial Tests Showed Many Genes Similar to Influenza Virus the Occurs in Pigs Further Studies - New Virus is Very Different from Viruses in North American Pigs

1918 Pandemic Flu (Spanish Flu) 1918 Influenza Flu Outbreak Estimated 70 to 100 Million Deaths Worldwide First Wave – Beginning March 1918 Mild Seasonal Flu Virus Second Deadly Wave – Summer/Fall of 1918 Virus Mutated to a More Deadly Strain Majority of the Fatalities – In the Second Wave Primarily in the 20 to 40 Year Old Age Range Speculation that the current H1N1 Outbreak May Return in the Fall Need to Prepare

Influenza Pandemic 1918 at Camp Funston (Kansas)

Influenza Pandemic, 1918

Wilfrid Laurier University Pandemic Flu Response Activated its Pandemic Response Plan Each Campus has: Developed a Pandemic Response Plan Departmental Business Continuity Plans Conducted a Pandemic Flu Table Top Exercise Waterloo Health Unit – One of the Primary Resource our Local Community

Departmental Business Continuity Plans Continuity of Operations Planning template, which focuses on the provision of essential services with up to 40% absenteeism at 2 week peak Plans to meet the needs of people confined to their homes

Information on H1N1 Questions on H1N1 Influenza? For WLU Employees: Send an to From Media or Other External Sources go to the website: Direct Periodic Health Alerts Distributed as New Information Becomes Available

Laurier’s Pandemic Website

Preventive Measures at WLU Wall Mounted Hand Sanitizer Units Near Elevator, Lobby Areas, Entrances,Washrooms Redirected Custodians to Increase the Wiping Down of Common Surfaces Door Handles, Bathrooms, Tables, Elevators, etc. Redirected Physical Resources to Use only disinfectant products

Preventive Measures Specific to Health Services Patient screening per Health Unit recommendations Annual flu clinics Campus education for staff and students

Spread of Infection Infected Person Can Infect Others: Beginning 1 Day Before Symptoms Develop Up to 7 Days or More After Becoming Sick Younger Children – May Be Contagious for Longer Periods

Routes of Exposure to Spread the Infection Primary Exposure Route – Person to Person Inhalation of Airborne Droplets from Infected Person Coughing or Sneezing Secondary Route of Exposure -Viruses on Surfaces Can Live on Surfaces for 2 Hours or More Person Touching Contaminated Tables, Doorknobs, Desks, Then Touching Face, Eyes, Nose, or Mouth

Prevention Measures Cough/Sneeze - Cover Nose/Mouth with Tissue or Sneeze into the Sleeve Dispose Used Tissues in the Trash Wash Hand with Soap & Water (At Least 20 Seconds) or Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Avoid Touching Eyes, Nose, or Mouth Avoid Contact with Sick People If Sick with a fever, Stay at Home Away from Work or School and Limit Contact with Others

Emergency Warning Symptoms Adults Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen Sudden dizziness Confusion Possible severe or persistent vomiting Possible diarrhea Children Fast breathing or trouble breathing Bluish skin color Not drinking enough fluids Not waking up or not interacting Being so irritable that child does not want to be held Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and worse cough Fever with a rash

In Summary Best Precautions Stay Healthy & Get Plenty of Rest Wash Your Hands Frequently Avoid Contact with Persons Who Are Sick Social distancing (1 metre rule) If Sick, Stay at Home, Away from Work/School The H1N1 Influenza Virus May Return in the Fall Wilfrid Laurier University and All Employees Must Prepare for its Possible Return as a Mutated Virus

References CDC, Pandemic Influenza Website: Waterloo Health Unit: orm Travel Information: DHHS, The Great Pandemic: FEMA, Manual for National Incident Management System: World Health Organization Pan Flu:

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